Liposuction
Liposuction, formally known as suction-assisted lipectomy and informally called 'lipo,' is a famous surgical procedure to reduce the localized fat cells in certain regions of the body. It removes excess unwanted fat from the body and results in improved and sculpted contours. Liposuction is not a weight loss method or weight loss alternative. If you are overweight, you must shed excessive fats through a rigorous diet, bariatric treatment, or exercise. Afterward, you can proceed with liposuction to address stubborn fat deposits because liposuction is used to treat the fats in the areas that remain virtually unaffected by diet or exercise.
What is Liposuction?
iposuction is a commonly performed surgical procedure that slims certain body areas by removing excess fat. The body contouring procedure utilizes vacuum suction to eliminate localized fat deposits. It should be noted that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure; it is a fat loss procedure instead. It mainly targets the areas resistant to exercise and diet. Liposuction is effective in changing contour as it permanently removes fat cells that are unevenly distributed. However, liposuction may not always (unless the amount removed is extensive) prevent further weight gain but rather affects weight distribution.
Liposuction is often offered as a minor and harmless surgery, but it is a complex procedure. Liposuction is science combined with art. It requires a practical application of scientific knowledge with precision and craftsmanship - a skill attained with clinical experience. A thorough training of the surgeon and in-depth knowledge about possible complications is essential before performing the procedure.
Liposuction can treat the following areas:
Abdomen
Ankles
Arms
Buttocks
Cheeks
Chin
Hips
Knees
Neck
Thighs
Upper arms
Waist
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and cannot substitute proper diet and exercise. Moreover, it is not an effective treatment for cellulite or saggy skin.
Before the procedure
During preoperative consultations with the patient, patient expectations regarding the goal of liposuction as contouring as opposed to weight reduction are discussed. The timeline for healing over several weeks is shared with the patient. A detailed discussion of risks and benefits is undertaken, including logistics, nature of the procedure, pain management, expected time course of recovery, expected course of management of complications, and warning signs and symptoms of postoperative complications. The patients are typically shown sample before and after photos of patients with similar body stature as the patient.
Additionally, alternative management methods are discussed alongside the best, average, and worst-case scenarios related to the proposed surgery. The patient should understand the risks, benefits, and warning signs of the side effects of medications and treatments to be used in the procedure.
In communicating expected amounts of fat removal, physicians use common volume measurements of everyday items to facilitate conceptualizing the amount of fat removed for patients unfamiliar with the medical units. Regardless of the method used, it is essential to accurately document the preoperative weight and linear measurements for precise comparison of the outcomes after the operation, in addition to standard medical photography.
During the procedure
A vast majority of liposuction procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. However, in some cases, depending on the patient's variables and the surgeon's preference, patients may stay in the hospital overnight.
Anesthesia
Just before the procedure, anesthesia is administered to comfort you during the procedure.
The choice of anesthesia may be local, intravenous sedation, or general. There is no ideal method, as each has pros and cons, and the choice depends on the patient's overall health, the estimated volume of fat to be removed, and individual patient preference. Some patients may prefer local-only anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or even general anesthesia on a case-by-case basis.
Since patients often focus on reducing downtime by selecting a minimally invasive procedure, most liposuction can be done awake, primarily when it is facilitated with laser liposuction.
Incision
Liposuction is performed through small, unnoticeable incisions.
First, diluted local anesthesia is administered to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube is passed through the incisions to dislodge excess fat deposits using a controlled back-and-forth motion. The loose fat cells are then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or needle attached to the cannula.
After the procedure
Liposuction results are visible once the swelling and fluid retention (common complaints after the procedure) subside. Immediately after the operation, the fluid and electrolyte balance of the patient is assessed. The patient's health record and the amount of fat removed determine the length of postoperative monitoring. Compression garments may be used for up to six weeks to lower the risk of edema. The timeline for recovery may sometimes be as little as 1 to 7 days depending on the areas where liposuction was performed. However, final results usually arrive over 3 to 6 months.
Types of Liposuction
Which Liposuction is Right for You?
Choosing the right type of liposuction depends on several factors, including your body type, the amount of fat to be removed, and your overall health status.
A few certain requirements must be met to be eligible for liposuction. For example, the patient must show deviations from the regular body contour caused by excess fat deposits in that region. The weight should be close to the average weight and stable for six to twelve months before surgery.
Different invasive and non-invasive liposuction procedures are available to achieve the desired outcomes. Different types of liposuction include:
Tumescent liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is the most commonly performed liposuction method. This technique involves injecting a saline solution, local anesthesia, and epinephrine into the targeted area before suctioning out the fat, which shrinks the blood vessels. This technique can help minimize bleeding and swelling. The fluid mixture causes the affected area to swell and stiffen.
The surgeon then makes minor cuts into your skin and inserts a thin tube or a cannula under your skin. The cannula is attached to a vacuum that suctions fat and fluids from your body using negative pressure. Your body fluid may be restored through an IV line.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a technique used to remove fat from the body through a small stainless steel cannula (a small tube) inserted through a small incision. The cannula is powered by a vibrating motor that moves back and forth to break up the fat cells and make them easier to remove.
PAL can be used on various body areas, including the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, and neck. This technique is beneficial for removing larger volumes of fat, fibrous or dense fat, or in areas where the skin needs to be tightened.
Ultrasonic liposuction
Ultrasonic liposuction, also known as ultrasound-assisted liposuction or VASER liposuction, is a technique that uses ultrasound waves to liquefy the fat cells before they are suctioned out of the body. This technique is performed under local anesthesia, and a small metallic probe is inserted underneath the skin through a tiny incision to deliver the ultrasound waves to the targeted area.
The ultrasound waves break up the fat cells and emulsify the fat, making removal easier with a cannula. This technique can be particularly effective in removing stubborn fat deposits, such as those in the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and arms.
Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)
Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL), also known as SmartLipo, SlimLipo, or laser lipolysis, is a cosmetic procedure that uses laser energy to remove excess body fat. The procedure involves the insertion of a thin tube called a cannula, which is attached to a laser fiber, into the targeted body area. The laser energy liquefies the fat cells, making them easier to suction out through the cannula.
Laser-assisted liposuction can be used on various body areas, including the abdomen, thighs, hips, and arms. It is considered a minimally invasive procedure, and the recovery time is generally shorter than traditional liposuction.
Laser-assisted liposuction uses only tiny incisions in your skin to perform the procedure.